Matthieu Ricard, an author who makes us happy!

Matthieu Ricard, Tibetan Buddhist monk, talented photographer and French interpreter of the Dalai Lama, is also an author who has published many successful books! In this article, I encourage you to familiarise yourself with this happy writer, who advocates altruism, the practice of meditation, the search for happiness and participates in many humanitarian actions. You will find his biography, his works, a summary of his essential books and forty of his most beautiful quotations!

From neuroscientist to Buddhist monk!

Youth in an intellectual and artistic environment

Matthieu Ricard was born on February 15, 1946, in Aix-les-Bains, France. His father is Jean-François Revel (née Ricard), an academic philosopher, essayist and journalist. His mother is the painter Yahne Le Toumelin.

As a child, Matthieu grew up in an intellectual and artistic environment (he was notably the half-brother of the high-ranking civil servant Nicolas Revel, himself the son of the journalist Claude Sarraute). At a very young age, he developed a passion for music and photography. As a teenager, he begins to read a lot of writings on spirituality under the influence of his mother and his uncle Jacques-Yves Le Toumelin, a solitary sailor (one of his first spiritual readings is the work of René Guénon offered by this uncle). He exchanges a lot of information on these subjects with the family circle of friends.

After studying biology, Matthieu Ricard returned to the Pasteur Institute and completed a thesis on cell division, under the supervision of Professor François Jacob (Nobel Prize in Medicine). The young Matthieu obtained a doctorate in cellular genetics.

How did Matthieu Ricard come to radically change his life?

While he was still a student, Matthieu Ricard took part in the editing of Arnaud Desjardins’ films on the great Tibetan masters who fled the Chinese invasion. He was 20 years old at the time and it was a big change in his life. So much so that the young man decided to fly to India to meet Kangyour Rinpoche, one of these great Tibetan masters!

This first trip to India, in 1967, led him to radically change his life. Indeed, Kangyur Rinpoche (who would later become his master) touched him deeply. His presence, his kindness and his way of being inspired him:

“I had before me the very example, not of a particular knowledge, an exceptional skill, like that of a piano virtuoso, but simply of the best that a human being could become.”

On his return to France, Mathieu Ricard decided to devote himself fully to the study and practice of Buddhism. He completed his doctorate. Then, in 1972, he left everything to settle in the Himalayas. He then lived in India, Bhutan and then Nepal, in a monastery in Shechen, where he still lives today. For 25 years, Matthieu Ricard was initiated into the Tibetan language and practiced the Buddhist path. He had almost no contact with the West anymore. In 1979, he became a Buddhist monk. For 13 years, he was also the steward of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, an emblematic figure of 20th century Tibetan Buddhism. It is also thanks to him that Matthieu Ricard met the Dalai Lama one day in 1980. Nine years later, Matthieu Ricard became his French interpreter.

Matthieu Ricard says:

“When I left the Institut Pasteur in 1972, I had the equivalent of six months’ salary at the CNRS set aside, which allowed me to live there for fifteen years. During those years, I lived on 30 euros a month, doing nothing but meditation.”

A man engaged between East and West

Ever since he started writing books, Matthieu Ricard has been travelling between East and West. He navigates between a contemplative and purely traditional life, and his various activities in the heart of the modern world.

Among these activities, the Buddhist monk has been a committee member of the Mind and Life Institute since 2000. This organization carries out research programs in neuroscience that bring Buddhist scientists and meditators together. The work aims to measure the impact of mind training and meditation on the brain.

On the other hand, Matthieu Ricard is a committed man. He…:

• Defends causes that aim to protect nature and animals (he has been a vegetarian for 50 years).
• Donates all his copyrights and all profits from his lectures and the sale of his photos to the humanitarian association Karuna-Shechen of which he is founder. Since 2000, this association has carried out humanitarian projects in India, Nepal and Tibet (construction of clinics, schools, orphanages, centres for the elderly, bridges).

The works of Matthieu Ricard

A successful bibliography

Matthieu Ricard has published many books on meditation, Buddhist philosophy, his altruistic vision and the sciences. Here is a list of Matthieu Ricard’s most successful books:

• 1997 – “The Monk and the Philosopher”: a dialogue with his father on the definition of Buddhism (Buddhist metaphysics, spirituality and psychoanalysis). This book brought Matthieu Ricard considerable media notoriety, and he received the Alexandra-David-Néel/Lama-Yongden Prize for this best-seller translated into 23 languages.
• 2000 – “Infinity in the palm of your hand”: a dialogue with astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan which aims to demonstrate the correlation between modern science and Buddhism.
• 2003 – “Paroles du Dalaï-Lama” (with Marc de Smedt)
• 2004 – “Advocacy for Happiness“
• 2007 – “The Snow Citadel” (a spiritual tale)
• 2008 – “Kalachakra: a mandala for peace” (with Sofia Strill-Rever and Manuel Brauer)
• 2008 – “Art de la méditation“
• 2013 – “Se changer, changer le monde” (with Christophe André, John Kabat-Zinn, Pierre Rabhi, Ilios Kotsou and Caroline Lesire),
• 2014 – “Advocacy for Altruism”
• 2015 – “Advocacy for Animals”
• 2015 – “Towards an Altruistic Society” (with Dalai Lama and Tania Singer)
• 2016 – “Three friends in search of wisdom” (with Christophe André and Alexandre Jollien)
• 2017 – “Brain and Meditation: Dialogue between Buddhism and Neuroscience” (with Wolf Singer)
• 2017 – “Transmettre” (with Céline Alvarez, Christophe André, Catherine Gueguen, Ilios Kotsou, Caroline Lesire, Frédéric Lenoir, Frédéric Lopez)
• 2018 – “Ten Tibetan Tales to Cultivate Compassion” (with Lama Lhakpa Yeshe),
• 2019 – “À nous la liberté” (with Christophe André and Alexandre Jollien)

Translations and collaborations

In addition to being an author, Matthieu Ricard is a translator from Tibetan into French. Among the many books and sacred texts, he has translated are: “La Vie de Shabkar”, “Les cent conseils de Padampa Sanguié”, “Chemins spirituels, petite anthologie du Bouddhisme tibétain”.

Matthieu Ricard is also collaborating on the creation of the Treasury of Lives site, an online, peer-reviewed biographical encyclopedia.

A photographer in love with the Himalayas

Matthieu Ricard dedicated his life to the Himalayan world, spirituality, the Tibetan people and their culture. These photographic works immortalize life in the monasteries, the great masters of Buddhism, the landscapes, the art, the Men of the Himalayas. These books are references and a brilliant homage to the Himalayas:

• 1996 – “The Spirit of Tibet”
• 1999 – “Dancing monks of Tibet and Bhutan: Land of serenity”
• 2002 – “Buddhist Himalayas”
• 2005 – “Dalai Lama: Journey for Peace” (with Christian Schmidt and Manuel Bauer)
• 2006 – “Tibet: Looks of Compassion”
• 2007 – “A still journey: The Himalayas as seen from a hermitage”
• 2008 – “Bhutan, land of serenity”
• 2011 – “108 smiles”
• 2015 – “Ode to Beauty”
• 2015 – “Faces of Peace, Lands of Serenity”
• 2017 – “Half a Century in the Himalayas”

Three must-read books by Matthieu Ricard

1. Matthieu Ricard’s “The Art of Meditation“.

Impossible to talk about Matthieu Ricard and not talk about meditation!

In “The Art of Meditation“, the Buddhist monk gives us several simple methods to learn how to meditate, develop and improve ourselves.

The benefits of meditation?

In the opinion of Matthieu Ricard, meditation offers many scientifically proven benefits. Overall, meditation will allow us to:

• Have a better understanding of reality, to have a more accurate perception of it.
• Understand how our mind works.
• Rid ourselves of mental toxins such as hate, obsession and anger.
• Become freer.

In this, meditation is a practice that promotes wholeness and true happiness. It helps us to cultivate certain fundamental human qualities (altruism, lucidity, inner peace, love), qualities which we all possess within us but which are often left in a latent state. Through meditation, we can therefore transform how we perceive things, and greatly transform the quality of our lives.

Ultimately, meditation brings an improvement and transformation of oneself to better transform the world.

What is meditation?

Meditation is neither blocking your thoughts to clear your mind, nor is it a simple process of relaxation (although relaxation is part of meditation). Rather, it is about “letting go” of ego attachments.

Thus, meditation consists of:

• To consciously choose one’s way of life and take charge of oneself, without being trapped by destructive habits;
• Master your mind, yourself, become freer;
• Getting used to a new understanding of the world;
• Seeing reality as it is.

How to meditate?

Learning is done with practice

Meditation is learned through practice, not by reading. On the other hand, it is wise to use the teachings of the sages who share the objectives and methods of each meditation in their writings.

A multitude of meditation methods

Matthieu Ricard explains to us that there are a multitude of methods to practice meditation well. In this book, he gives us many tips and summarizes some of these meditation methods.

• Mindfulness meditation: it consists of “being perfectly awakened to everything that arises in and around us, to everything we see, hear or feel”.

• The mental calm or shamata: it is the state of mind calmed, clear and perfectly focused on its object, which makes the mind manageable, efficient and precise.

• The penetrating vision or vipashyana: this is the penetrating vision of the nature of the mind and of phenomena, which one achieves when one meticulously analyses consciousness and practices contemplation, inner experience.

Tips for maintaining motivation

• Get advice from a qualified guide.
• Look for a place conducive to meditation.
• Take appropriate physical posture.
• Be enthusiastic to be persistent.
• Practice meditation regularly: meditating 15 or 20 minutes a day is preferable to a long but episodic meditation.
• Be neither too taut nor too slack during meditation: just as a guitar string should be neither too taut nor too slack to produce the right note.

The seven stages of meditation, according to Matthieu Ricard

1. Our mind is a mirror

Let the ideas pass through our minds, don’t dwell on them.

2. Letting his thoughts manifest

Since it is not possible to prevent thoughts from manifesting, one will seek to soothe the mind and focus on a particular sound or on the incoming and outgoing breath.

3. Being attentive

It’s all about focusing on the sensations when you breathe in and out. If we notice that our mind wanders, we can simply bring it back to our breathing. This is called attention.

4. Using Meditation for Special Purposes

Meditation can be used to develop qualities or to manage disturbing emotions.

5. Practicing 20 minutes a day, every day

Regular practice (20 minutes a day) is essential to get results, just as it is important to water a plant regularly.

6. Practicing meditation during trials

Matthieu Ricard says: “You can look at your experience as a fire burning. If you are aware of anger, you are not angry, you are aware. Being aware of anxiety is not being anxious, it’s being aware.”

7. Results after only one month

After a month of daily 20-minute sessions, we should see a decrease in stress, an increase in general well-being, and brain changes should occur.

Review of the book “The Art of Meditation” by Matthieu Ricard

In this book, Matthieu Ricard approaches the subject of meditation – which is difficult to access at first glance – in a simple way that is very adapted to Western culture. “The Art of Meditation” is thus an excellent introduction and an essential guide to accompany anyone who decides to embark on the practice of meditation. Through this reading, a whole universe opens up to us!

Strong Points:

• The open-mindedness that the book provides: a new way of perceiving the world and oneself.
• Immediately applicable methods for everyday use without the need for equipment or investment.
• The absence of a “religious” connotation despite the author’s Buddhist philosophy (it will therefore suit everybody, whatever their religion or non-religion).
• The simple and clear way (even for the western reader) to talk about concepts and methods.
• The fact that all income generated by the sale of the book is donated to the humanitarian organization Karuna-Shechen founded by the author.

Weak Points:

• I don’t see any!

My rating :   

2. “Three friends in search of wisdom”

Matthieu Ricard co-authored this book in collaboration with Christophe André, psychotherapist and Alexandre Jollien, philosopher.

Matthieu Ricard, Alexandre Jollien and Christophe André have been friends for several years. One day, the three men met in a house in the heart of the Dordogne forest and sat together in front of the fireplace to discuss and compare their approach to life, which all three were passionate about. These few days of conversations and debates gave birth to this book with three voices.

A book with three voices

From the very beginning of the book, the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. Indeed, one must imagine oneself in front of the fire, with our three authors conversing amicably, each with a cup of steaming tea.

The exchange of experiences and ideas of the authors is structured around 10 themes. These themes can be read through twelve chapters:

The first chapter:

The authors tell us about their backgrounds, motivations and personal aspirations. Each one of them questions what is essential in their life.

10 chapters = 10 themes:

Throughout the book, the following topics are discussed:

• Ego,
• Emotions,
• Listening,
• The body,
• Suffering,
• Consistency,
• Altruism,
• Simplicity,
• Guilt and forgiveness,
• Freedom.

Each chapter is about one subject. Their content is very dense and transcribes the authors’ debates. Even if the points of view differ at certain moments, the three men concentrate on the essentials. Then, at the end of each of these chapters, the authors offer solutions, advice, practical things or lines of thought, with different points of view, according to their disciplines.

The last chapter:

It reports on the “secrets” and daily practices of the three author friends.

Review of the book “Three Friends in Search of Wisdom“:

These three “great minds” sitting together and amicably discussing subjects they are passionate about, transport us, through this book, into a state of benevolence and wisdom. The context, the atmosphere, the setting and the way the conversation is presented gives us the impression that we too are nestled by the fire, in the intimacy of the exchanges.

The themes chosen are profound and widely developed by the authors. All these themes are approached in accordance to different disciplines, which bring us answers or interesting reflections on how to lead our lives. However, it is important to underline that the very philosophical content requires slow and concentrated reading.

Strong Points:

• The personal and intellectual enrichment offered within the contents.
• The concept of the original book (three-voice book);
• The intimacy that emerges from the meeting of the three authors;
• The wisdom of tone and purpose.

Weak Points:

• Some passages made long by philosophical, theoretical and spiritual statements (lightened however by the life experiences told);
• Very deep reflections that require a certain concentration and level of understanding;
• Advice full of wisdom but which often seems difficult to apply in the reality of everyday life.

My rating :   

3. “Happiness“

In this book, Mathieu Ricard offers us a fascinating philosophical reflection on authentic happiness and the means to achieve it. In his opinion, happiness is not to be sought on the outside, but rather within ourselves and through an altruistic approach to the world!

What is happiness: the notions of soukha and doukha

The first chapter is devoted to the definition of happiness, well-being and its conditions, called a soukha in Buddhist philosophy. The opposite of soukha is the Sanskrit term doukha, which is generally translated as “suffering”, “unhappiness” or more precisely “sorrow”.

From the very beginning of the book, Matthieu Ricard shares with us the message that remains present throughout the book: even if external conditions have an influence, happiness depends on an inner state. Ricard believes happiness requires the eradication of the mental toxins (hatred, obsession, etc.) that poison our mind. And for this, it is essential to acquire inner freedom and to free oneself from the ego.

Matthieu Ricard’s methods for more happiness!

Throughout the book, Matthieu Ricard proposes different methods to be happier. The methods exposed by the author will help:

• Carry out an inner introspection (through the contemplative or analytical path).
• Deal with our suffering: through visualisation, the practice of compassion or contemplation.
• Dispel our ego, deconstruct it.
• Free oneself from negative emotions: counteract each negative emotion with a particular antidote, practice liberation, or use the negative emotion in a positive way.
• Stop disturbing thoughts: meditate on feelings that go beyond our mental afflictions, observe our thoughts and recognize that they are empty, stop systematically blaming the world and others, wish for the suffering of others against our happiness, cultivate serenity and detachment, draw strength from experience.

Three essential ideas about happiness, according to Matthieu Ricard

• Happiness is not the materialization of all our desires and passions:

“Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the fulfillment of unlimited outwardly directed desires.”

• It’s in making others happy that you make your own:

“True happiness comes from an essential goodness that wishes from the bottom of one’s heart that each one finds meaning in his existence.”

• Happiness depends on us and is cultivated day after day:

“Happiness is not decreed, not summoned, but cultivated and built little by little, over time.”

Three essential distinctions according to Matthieu Ricard

Next, Matthieu Ricard makes a distinction between happiness and certain apparently similar but, reality very different states.

• Happiness and pleasure: This distinction between “pleasure” and “happiness” does not mean that one should not seek pleasant sensations. It all depends: if pleasure hinders inner freedom, then it hinders happiness. If it is lived with perfect inner freedom, it “adorns it without obscuring it”.
• Happiness and joy: Emotions associated with joy contribute to happiness as long as they are free of negative emotions and associated with the other components of true happiness.
• Woe and suffering: Our mind translates suffering (related to causes beyond our control) into unhappiness. It is therefore up to the mind to control its perception. Therefore, even a small change in the way we think, perceive and interpret the world can dramatically transform our lives.

The Four Truths of Suffering

According to Buddhism, suffering will always be present everywhere as a global phenomenon. It will never disappear from the universe. However, each individual can individually free themselves from it, and it is our duty to do everything in our power, in thought and deed, to alleviate this suffering.

Buddha believes that this necessitates the need to practice the Four Truths of Suffering, i.e., recognize suffering, eliminate its origin and stop it through the practice of the path of transformation.

Emotions

Definition of a disruptive emotion?

According to Buddhism, if an emotion:

• Tends to the good of others and strengthens our inner peace, so it is positive or constructive.
• Hurts others and deeply disturbs our minds, then it is negative or disruptive.

For Buddhists, it is the consequence that counts. The only criterion that counts is the good or the suffering caused by our actions, words and thoughts, for ourselves and for others.

The five mental poisons

It develops the five disruptive mental “poisons” identified by Buddhism, regardless of the degree and context in which they occur:

• Desire (as a “thirst”, a greed that torments): whether it is satisfied or repressed, it is always a source of torment; the author therefore evokes inner freedom and renunciation;
• Hate: The author gives us food for thought on revenge and altruism as an antidote to hatred;
• Confusion: it distorts our perception of reality;
• Pride: Matthieu Ricard also speaks of humility as a component of happiness;
• Jealousy: that leads to haunting and hatred.

Golden time, lead time, junk time

Our time is our most precious asset. Matthieu Ricard speaks of three “times”. Time:

• Golden: which allows, in spite of apparent inaction, to fully enjoy the present moment.
• Of lead: which “overwhelms the one who can’t stand waiting, delay, boredom, loneliness, annoyance and sometimes even existence”.
• Junk: which tosses us around, distracts us and makes us go around in circles.

In order to live our relationship with time more harmoniously and return to the Golden Age, Matthieu Ricard encourages us to:

• Practice contemplative introspection.
• To question ourselves about the meaning we want to give to our lives.
• Cultivate the following four qualities: vigilance, positive motivation, diligence, inner freedom.

Sociology of happiness, neuroscience, ethics, perception of death and spiritual path

In the final chapters, Matthieu Ricard mentions:

• Sociological studies and their results show that the more modern the country is, the happier its citizens are (modernity syndrome). However, the author points out that the situation is far from being as rosy as it seems, and provides a perspective that counterbalances the correlations mentioned.
• Experiments that have been carried out on meditators that show amazing results, in terms of the impact of mental training and meditation on brain activity.
• Ethical Factors in Happiness: Outcome of Our Actions, and the Buddhist Position on it
• The way we look at death, which is going to have a huge impact on the quality of our lives.
• How he perceives the spiritual path and how meditation can contribute to happiness.

The two messages of Matthieu Ricard to remember!

In his “Happiness“, Matthieu Ricard puts forward two major ideas:

1. Authentic and lasting happiness is found within us; it represents an inner freedom to be distinguished from pleasure. We can only find this happiness if we engage in inner introspection and deep transformation. It depends on us alone.
2. It is by becoming less egocentric and taking a more altruistic approach to the world that we will find happiness. Because happiness is built every day with others.

It is therefore up to us to change our outlook on life in order to be happier!

Review of “Plea for Happiness” by Matthieu Ricard

This book offers an interesting philosophical reflection on a vast subject! The author’s style is a challenge but the words are profound. “Plea for Happiness” is therefore a book that needs to be read slowly and that brings its share of reflections.

The spiritual dimension is definitely present but not too heavy. Certain concepts, largely inspired by Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, can confuse the less initiated. Nevertheless, perhaps because he has a double culture, Western and Eastern, Matthieu Ricard manages to make an abstract reflection, that could put some people off, comprehensible! The scientific support (biology, psychology, sociology, etc.), anecdotes, metaphors and quotations bring credibility and rhythm to the more theoretical passages.

Strong Points:

• A rich spiritual teaching and keys to understanding for those who want to begin a process of personal transformation.
• A deep reflection through concepts full of wisdom and optimism.
• Anecdotes and scientific works that anchor the author’s ideas in reality.

Weak Points:

• Some parts are more arduous and require full concentration on reading and reflection.
• This is not a weak point but a remark: the author’s ideas about happiness revolve around Buddhist concepts that not everyone necessarily adheres to.

My rating :   

Matthieu Ricard said…

On happiness

• “Happiness is a way of being, and manners can be learned.”
• “Happiness is not decreed, not summoned, but cultivated and built little by little over time.”
• “In the absence of inner peace and wisdom, one has nothing to be happy about. Living in the alternation of hope and doubt, excitement and boredom, desire and weariness, it is easy to squander one’s life, piece by piece, without even noticing it, running around and getting nowhere. Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the fulfillment of unlimited desires turned outward.”
• “Clumsily, we seek happiness outside ourselves, when it is essentially an inner state.”
• “True happiness proceeds from an essential goodness that wishes from the bottom of the heart that each person finds meaning in their existence. It is a love that is always available, without ostentation or calculation. The immutable simplicity of a good heart.”
• “Happiness is not given to us, nor misfortune imposed upon us. We are at a crossroads at every moment and it is up to us to choose which direction to take.”

On emotions and perceptions

• “Let us remember that our mind can be our best friend as well as our worst enemy. Freeing it from confusion, egocentricity and disruptive emotions is therefore the best service we can do for ourselves and others.”
• “The ultimate pessimism is that life as a whole is not worth living. The ultimate optimism, to understand that every moment that passes is a treasure, in joy as well as in adversity. These are not mere nuances, but a fundamental difference in the way we look at things.”
• “If we perceive the whole world as an enemy, wanting to transform it so that it no longer harms us is a never-ending task. It is infinitely easier to change our perception of things!”
• “Some emotions make us blossom; some make us wither.”
• “Wisdom is understanding that everything you see, everything you feel, is as fleeting as a dream, an illusion, a dewdrop, a flash in the night, a bubble on the surface of the stream…”
• “What’s the point of tormenting yourself for what no longer exists and what doesn’t?”

On death

• “Remember there are two kinds of lunatics: those who don’t know they’re going to die, those who forget they’re alive.”
• “Death, so far away and so near. Distant, because we always imagine it’s for later; close because it can strike at any time. If death is certain, its time is unpredictable. When it comes, no eloquence can convince it to wait, no power to repel it, no wealth to bribe it, no beauty to seduce it.”
• “He who has used every moment of his life to become a better person and contribute to the happiness of others can legitimately die in peace.”

On renunciation, non-attachment, the essentials

• “To give up is to have the audacity and intelligence to examine what are usually considered pleasures and see if they really do make you feel better.”
• “To know how to find the essential and no longer worry about the accessory leads to a deep sense of contentment.”
• “He who knows inner peace is no more broken by failure than he is broken by success. He knows how to live these experiences fully in the context of a deep and vast serenity, understanding that they are ephemeral and that he has no reason to cling to them.”

On suffering, unhappiness and hatred…

• “We endure suffering but we create unhappiness.”
• “With the exception of natural disasters, most human suffering is caused by malice, greed, jealousy, indifference, in short, the self-centered attitude that prevents us from thinking about the happiness of others.”
• “Our enemy is not the one who acts under the influence of hatred, it is hatred itself.”

On inner freedom 

• “Wearing no labels is the best guarantee of freedom and the smoothest, lightest, most joyful way to cross this world.”
• “External freedom is the control of our existence, and internal freedom is the control of our mind.”
• “True freedom requires freedom from the ego and its attendant emotions.”

About life

• “The question is not whether life has meaning, but how to make it meaningful.“
• “No matter how far we’ve come, there’s no point in setting a deadline, the important thing is to know we’re going in the right direction.”
• “To live is not just to wander through encounters and circumstances, to tinker as one can, day in and day out.”
• “Even if things don’t always work out the way you hope, you should be able to say to yourself, ‘I have no regrets, because I did everything I could, within my capabilities.“
• “Feeling time as a painful and tasteless experience, feeling that you’ve done nothing at the end of the day, at the end of the year and then at the end of life, signals how unaware we remain of our potential for fulfillment.”

On the pleasures

• “It escapes no one’s notice that our consumer society is constantly inventing a multiplicity of fake, euphoric and laboriously repeated pleasures designed to maintain a state of emotional alertness, which quite diabolically triggers a form of thought anaesthesia. Is there not an abyss between these canned pleasures and inner bliss?”
• “When happiness falls into anonymity, it is lost in the crowd of its look-alikes, called pleasure, entertainment, drunkenness, voluptuousness and other ephemeral mirages.”
• “Pleasures, once tasted, do not remain, do not accumulate, do not keep and do not bear fruit: they fade away.”
• “No matter how natural it is, desire quickly degenerates into “mental poison” as soon as it becomes compulsive thirst, obsession or uncontrollable attachment.”
• “Living in the alternation of hope and doubt, excitement and boredom, desire and weariness, it is easy to squander your life, piece by piece, without even noticing it, running around and getting nowhere.”
• “Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the fulfillment of unlimited outwardly directed desires.”

On gratitude

• “I hold in my hand a piece of paper, at least thirty-five countries have made this gesture possible.”
• “There’s no big, difficult task that can’t be broken down into small, easy ones.”

On altruism and kindness

• “However, the fulfillment of the good of others does not imply the sacrifice of our own happiness, quite the contrary.”
• “Let us not seek mysterious explanations for goodness in others, but rather rediscover the mystery of goodness in ourselves.”
• “We must simply understand that our good and the good of the world cannot be based on indifference to the happiness of others and a refusal to see the suffering around us.”

On humility

• “Humility is a way of being, not of appearing.”
• “Humility does not consist in considering oneself inferior, but in being freed from self-importance.”

And you, do you know any other inspiring quotes from Matthieu Ricard? Have you read any books by Matthieu Ricard that have contributed to a change in your life? Come and share your comments!